Announcing Our Inaugural FBW Quarterly Awards Winners

Celebrating Excellence in Female Leadership and Women-Founded Companies

Today marks a milestone moment as we proudly announce the winners of our first-ever FBW Quarterly Awards. These trailblazing women represent exactly why we launched this program: to spotlight the exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact that happens when women are given the platform they deserve.

From transforming global HR strategies to pioneering evidence-based wellness approaches, our inaugural winners demonstrate that female leadership creates measurable, lasting change across industries.

🏆 Individual Leader Award Winners

👑 Strategic Leadership Excellence

Saralynn Pizano
VP, People & Culture, Sanas AI

Saralynn has transformed People Operations at global scale, leading HR strategy for 200+ employees across four regions. Her strategic vision has delivered remarkable improvements in employee retention, engagement, and company culture. Under her leadership, Sanas was recognized as #1 Best Companies for Diversity and #2 Best Companies for Women by DataBird Journal, with significant improvements in Glassdoor ratings and employee satisfaction. With 18+ years of HR expertise and a master's in employment law, Saralynn proves that people strategy is business strategy, building inclusive, high-performing teams that drive sustainable growth.

"I lead with empathy, accountability, and transparency—building trust through clear communication and courageous conversations."

Nadzeya Stalbouskaya
Technology Lead, IAG Transform

Nadzeya has driven enterprise-wide architectural transformation across multiple business domains, serving as both Technology Lead and Enterprise Architect since November 2023. She led the creation of a comprehensive architectural framework for a global services organization, establishing standardized processes and governance models. Her strategic initiatives have delivered significant operational improvements and positioned architecture as a core function in strategic decision-making. Leading cross-functional teams, Nadzeya has demonstrated exceptional ability to align technology strategy with business objectives.

"I lead by example and empower teams through clarity, trust, and collaboration. I foster innovation by aligning team strengths with business goals, motivating through shared purpose and recognition."

🌟 Emerging Leader Influence

Maria Jula
Founder & Nutritionist, MJ London Nutrition

Maria launched MJ London Nutrition in November 2024 with a mission to combat nutrition misinformation through evidence-based coaching. Armed with a Level 5 Advanced Nutrition Science Diploma with Distinction and personal experience overcoming PCOS, she's already helping clients achieve sustainable transformations—including one client who lost 5kg in 4 weeks. Her Workplace Wellness sessions at Imagination Technologies and University of Westminster have been praised as "engaging and relatable." Maria represents the future of health leadership: scientifically rigorous, personally authentic, and deeply impactful.

"My work matters by promoting long-term health and body autonomy through education, directly addressing the rising health crisis."

🌿 Health & Wellness Impact

Caroline Shola Arewa
Founder/Director, Inner Vision

With over three decades of pioneering work in holistic wellness, Caroline has empowered thousands of women worldwide and trained more than 350 coaches across 15 countries, amplifying her work through the ripple effect of their leadership. She is the author of 5 books, including her first best-selling book which is now in its 27th year. Caroline has introduced progressive energy-based wellness programs to traditional organizations including PWC, BBC, the Police Force, and the Prison Service, opening doors for holistic approaches in structured environments. In 2023, she developed the innovative Shekem Maat Healing System, blending ancient wisdom with modern energy practices. Caroline’s work has not only transformed individual lives but also influenced organizational cultures, bringing depth and consciousness to leadership development and proving that "soft skills, rest, and purpose matter, because people matter."

"My leadership philosophy is to develop reluctant leaders and nurture conscious leadership. I lead from behind, energising, empowering, and elevating others."

🚀 Company Award Winners

🚀 Best Innovation

Abbe Feder
Founder & CEO, InCircle Fertility

Abbe created a groundbreaking model of fertility support that bridges the critical gap between clinical treatment and emotional resilience. Since founding InCircle Fertility in 2021, she's served over 1,000 clients through personalized coaching programs that blend expert guidance, trauma-informed care, and community connection. Her results speak volumes: 90% of clients report improved emotional coping and decision-making confidence, 60%+ of new clients come via referrals, and an incredible 100% say they made a good decision working with InCircle. Abbe has redefined fertility care by making emotional well-being a standard part of the process, not a luxury.

"My work is helping redefine fertility care by making emotional well-being a standard part of the process—not a luxury or afterthought."

Susannah Simmons
Longevity Trainer, Coach & Founder, Susannah Simmons Feel Good Hub

Susannah has pioneered a unique wellbeing framework for "third chapter solopreneurs"—helping experienced business owners build ventures that last by aligning personal wellbeing with customer experience strategy. After 12 years of building two successful coaching strands, she's now launching the Feel Good Hub app in September 2025, unifying her holistic approach. Her depth-over-scale model shows remarkable client loyalty, with several clients celebrating 10-year anniversaries with her. Her 6-week Eat Well Challenge achieved a 100% completion rate, proving that sustainable, human-centered success is possible for later-stage entrepreneurs.

"I'm redefining what sustainable, human-centred success looks like for later-stage entrepreneurs, helping them avoid burnout while serving their customers effectively."

What Makes This Inaugural Class Special

Our first cohort represents the authentic foundation of the FBW Awards—leaders who stepped forward to be recognized, not because of hype or marketing, but because they believe in the power of visibility for women's achievements. Each winner embodies a different path to excellence:

• Global HR transformation driving engagement and diversity (Saralynn)
• Enterprise architecture delivering millions in cost savings (Nadzeya)
• Evidence-based health entrepreneurship solving real wellness challenges (Maria)
• Decades of pioneering holistic leadership (Caroline)
• Innovative fertility care bridging medical and emotional support (Abbe)
• Sustainable solopreneur success for later-stage entrepreneurs (Susannah)

These women didn't wait for permission to lead. They created change, measured impact, and built legacies that extend far beyond their individual success.

Building Something Bigger

The FBW Quarterly Awards aren't just about recognition—they're about building an undeniable record of female excellence that investors, boards, and partners can no longer ignore. With each quarterly cycle, we're creating a powerful network of recognized leaders whose combined achievements shift the narrative about women's capabilities in business.

For our winners: Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Your stories will inspire the next generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs.

For future applicants: Q4 2025 applications open soon. The standard has been set—bring your most compelling stories of innovation, impact, and leadership excellence.

Winner Benefits Include:

📰 Featured Profiles - In-depth articles on FoundedByWomen.org
📱 Multi-Platform Promotion - Social media and newsletter features
🏆 Winner Assets - Digital badges and certificates for marketing
🤝 Network Access - Connection with other recognized leaders

Ready to apply for Q4 2025? Watch for applications opening October 2025. The future of business is being shaped by women at every level—and we're here to tell that story properly.

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